Fact Masters

It is hard to believe that we are already half way through the year in third grade, but it is already here! At this point  we like to introduce the students to XtraMath, a computerized program that helps to build math fact fluency. The students each have their own account which they can access both at home and school. They begin with addition facts and attempt to master each operation by completing all of the facts in three seconds or less. Most students are very excited by this new program and have been asking to go on it daily. We already have some mathematicians who have received their first certificates of achievement!

We are asking our classes to get onto XtraMath as much as possible on the evenings when they do not have math homework. This would ideally mean that they are practicing their facts at least three times per week. We realize that some students do not enjoy the XtraMath program because it is time based and can make some feel frustrated. If this is the case for your student, please let us know and we will be happy to suggest some other fact fluency activities that you can do at home to support your child's computational development.

We have been applying our inquiry skills as we have jumped into a unit on forces and magnets. Over the past few days the students  have learned about Newton's laws of motion and have been designing and testing experiments around objects in motion and the forces that move them. This coming week, they will be using their engineering skills in combination with their new understandings to design a revolutionary ping pong paddle and they will work in groups to design and test their own pendulums. Stay tuned for some great photos of these creativ thinkers at work.

We are excited to head to the Flynn Theater to see A Light In The Dark: The Story of Helen Keller next week on February 5th. We will be doing some activities to build our background knowledge of this amazing woman before we enjoy the performance. 

With the cold temperatures, please be aware that we do go outside for recess everyday unless it is below zero (w/wind chill). This is just a reminder to be sure that your student has the appropriate winter gear with them everyday.

Thanks so much!

Jess and Liz